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Australian smooth pipefish (Lissocampus caudalis) — Syngnathidae

Australian smooth pipefish

Lissocampus caudalis
Family: Syngnathidae

The Australian smooth pipefish (Lissocampus caudalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Syngnathidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Australian smooth pipefish is a small pipefish (Syngnathidae) from temperate coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a very slender, stiff, smooth bony-ringed body and a short, tubular snout. It lives hidden among weed and seagrass of shallow reefs and sucks up small zooplankton. Like other pipefishes the male carries and broods the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Australian smooth pipefish?

The Australian smooth pipefish has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Australian smooth pipefish live?

The Australian smooth pipefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Australian smooth pipefish get?

The Australian smooth pipefish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Australian smooth pipefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Australian smooth pipefish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Australian smooth pipefish (Lissocampus caudalis) — Syngnathidae — 2
B. Hutchins, Western Australian Museum (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Australian smooth pipefish (Lissocampus caudalis) — Syngnathidae — 3
David Spencer Muirhead (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Australian smooth pipefish sourced
Scientific name
Lissocampus caudalis
Family
Syngnathidae
Other names
Smooth pipefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Lissocampus

More from the family Syngnathidae

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